Italy: Fast-Track Immigration Process for Highly Skilled Work Permit Applications

Apr 14, 2022

Important notice

Please read carefully our articles before contacting our Firm.

In the last 24H, we noticed that “misleading” information is being shared on various social network channels (especially on Youtube and Instagram). The Italian Immigration law does not offer any free work permits and the Fast-Track procedure can be applied only by companies (not by individuals) accredited by the Italian Ministry of Interior.

Furthermore, our company does not offer any job positions and we do not help finding jobs in Italy.

Did you know that there is a “special process” that allows to shorten the immigration process of the seconded workers to Italy?

1. What is an Italian Fast-Track Immigration Process?

Companies that often need to bring highly skilled foreign workers to Italy (either on temporary assignment or to be employed locally) may choose to be registered as “recognised” sponsor with the Italian Ministry of Interior, thus accessing expedite highly skilled worker’s admission procedures.

The host company shall sign a so-called Protocollo di Intesa (Protocol Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding, MOU), with the Ministry of Interior. The protocol is applicable to (one protocol must be signed for each procedure):

Managers or highly qualified personnel seconded to Italy (intra company assignment). Allows foreign employees in an executive/senior managerial/specialized knowledge role to be temporarily assigned to a subsidiary/branch/affiliate.

EU Blue Card – Highly skilled workers. For highly qualified workers to be placed under a local job contract as employees of the Italian company.

Managers/specialists/trainees seconded to Italy in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer.

2. What are the advantages of the Fast-Track ImmigrationProcess?

✓ Approval is not subject to a foregoing Italian Labour Board check, but only to police examination

✓ Significant reduction of processing time

✓ The work permit application is replaced by a communication of the terms contained in the proposed contract

of stay

✓ Less steps with respect to the standard process (a work permit is not issued)

✓ Supporting documents are to be submitted only after the work visa has been issued

3. Application of the Italian work permit under the Fast-Track Process

Once the Fast-Track Process is completed, it is possible to proceed with the request of the work permit application under the Fast-Track Process.

  • Under this procedure, the prospective sponsor shall simply communicate through an online form the terms of the proposed contract of stay to the immigration office having jurisdiction over the worker place of work.
  • Once this is successfully scrutinized, the consulate having jurisdiction over the assignee’s place of residence abroad is given clearance to issue the work visa.
  • After the employment visa is issued and within 8 days of arrival in Italy, the foreign worker must complete the in-country registration procedures by visiting the Immigration office and proceed with the regular immigration process to request the permit of stay.

Before the prospective worker enters Italy with the visa, the company must make sure all documents are ready and in good order or else he/she will not be able to complete the registration procedures within the 8 days term nor to start work at the sponsor company. Workers should not enter Italy once they have the work visa stamped on the passport if mandatory registration requirements are not met.

In case of intra company transfers where the holder has an EU ICT permit issued by another EU Member State the process is even quicker as the worker will not need to apply for the visa before entering Italy.


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